Torres formally issued a transfer request on Friday, giving Liverpool just three days to find a suitable replacement before he left to join Chelsea in a £50 million switch. The Reds eventually signed Andy Carroll for a British record transfer, a move Dalglish defended on Thursday following criticism of the £35 million price tag in the media.

Dalglish hinted that Torres' conduct left a lot to be desired but, ahead of Sunday's clash with Chelsea, he said the striker he was no longer important to Liverpool.

"Everybody was disappointed that he left the club," Dalglish said. "Most disappointing was the timing, but we move on. The football club will always be here, and no person is bigger than this football club.

"The club and the owners did everything we possibly could but it was not to be, so he moved on. He's playing for someone else now. The most important people are the people at this football club."

Asked how he will prepare to shackle Torres, Dalglish replied: "We'll just play against any player they put on the pitch. We're more important than any player they've got."